Adjustable blind or awning



March 17, 1953 K. w. PETTIGREW ETAL 1,

ADJUSTABLE BLIND OR AWNING I Filed March 21. 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l /IL/\/ ATTORNEYS March 17, 1953 K. W.;'-PETTlGREW ETAL 2,631,341

ADJUSTABLE BLIND OR AWNING 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 21. 1949 rm/26m Wmw rm- "a! mcrrjesALK fluemf, J72,

ATTOR N EYS Egw Y l 3m March 17, 1953 K. w. PETTIGREW ETAL ADJUSTABLE BLIND OR AWNING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'Filed March 21. 1949 Kennei'h WPeZligrew 4 Zizarles A.Kflverl', J12,

ATTOR N EYS :structure, the features :ment of the angle of the mechanism is required, and

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 ADJUSTABLE BLIND 0R AWNING Kenneth W. Pettigrew,

Kilvert, .Jr., Providence, R.

Cranston, and Charles A.

I., assignors to Rhode Island Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation. Central Falls, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application March 21, 1943,.SerialNo. 82;531

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in Venetian-type metallic blinds or awnings.

Aprincipal objectof the invention is the .provision of a structure of louvers having novel construction and control features which make it adaptable to a variety of window conditions. Another object is to provide a louver structure with controls which with a minimum of structural alterations is adaptable for use either .asa blind was an awning.

A special object oi the invention is the provision of a novel form of louver control in the form of a gear assembly carried on the louver whereof permit adjustlouvers either from inside or outside the window. This gear control thus may be used to regulate the louvers from alternate locations, usually to be determined by whether the structure is employed as a blind or as an awning. Thesaid control, when connected for interior control of the louvers, eliminates gears, gear boxes, or other controls inside the window which in some room conditionsare difficult to mount conveniently. The unsightliness of such controls is likewise eliminated, and an adaptability to a wider range of window conditions is provided. For example, the interior control of the present invention may enter the building through the mullion between window panes if necessary,

the interior control crank of the invention does notrequire a strong mounting.

In one form of the invention, ,a blind is provided which :shields the'wind'ow at a fixed angle (approximately 10 degrees from the vertical), the louvers of which are adjustable from inside time window and may be completely closed to provide a storm proof closure. The louvers may also be opened to an angle beyond the horizontal, so that sunlight may be reflected into the room if desired.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a structure is provided which is primarily intended for use as an awning (at an angle of about45 60 degrees with the buildingior example) which, however, may be'adjuste'd to any angle'desired for an awning and also be partly or completely closed over the-window to take the position of ablind. When completely closed over the window, special arrangements :are provided so that the structure may be firmly fastened :or locked :shut against the window. In thisposition the blindconstitutes ideal storm protection,:and willresist damagefrorn.lriishwinds or hurricanes.

since no bulky interior control 2 in a third form of the invention, the adaptab1l1ty of the louver control mechanism is'illustrated in an embodiment having the control mounted 'near the top of the louver structure.

This embodiment is likewise usable as anawning or blind. i

Further objects of the invention are to "provide awnings or blinds which are of extremely sturdy construction, formed of parts easily obtainable from commercial sources and easily adapted according to the invention. The structures herein described require minimum mainterliantce, and afford superior control over light and ea Preferably, awnings or blinds according to the invention are made of aluminum, although other materials may of course be employed. Aluminum is preferred because of its light weightQits ability to reflect light and heat, its attractive appearance and because it requires no paint or other coating.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be described in'connect'ion with the figures of the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevation of one embodiment of a blind according to the invention in position on a window frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, with some parts in elevation, on the lines 2-2 of Fig; 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of the upper structure of the blind shown in Fig. 2, illustrating in dotted lines the closed position of the louvers;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, with parts broken away and other parts in section, showing the gear control for the louver adjustment according to the invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the front brace which holds the fixed angle type blind of the above figures at the proper angle from the buildin v Fig. 6 is another enlarged detail showingone of the connecting meansbetween theframe'of the blind, and front and cross braces;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view similar to that' of Fig. 2, taken on the lines 1-4 of Fig. 8,-illustrating a second modification of the invention, a blind or awning whose angular relationship with the building may be adjusted;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the lines 8-'8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the second modification in closed and lockedposition;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail of the bracket Fig. 13 is a detail of a third embodiment of the invention, in which the louver control mechanism is located near the top of the awning or blind.

In Figs. 1-6 are shown the first embodiment of the invention, a blind which is fixed, in the sense that the angular relationship it makes with the building wall is pre-selected but non-ad ustable, whereas the louvers are adjustable throughout a wide arc of swing or tilt. Most of the structural parts of this first embodiment are common to the other embodiments described below. In

. these figures the casement or window frame is designated at 2!), having a mullioned window 2!. At the top of the frame and extending inwardly from the outer face of the building to provide a rainproof joint, is the hood 22- which is firmlyattached to the building by bolts 23 at spaced intervals. Bolts 23- also carry angle pieces 24 whose lower ends are drilled and to which are fastened recessed angle support members 25,

by means of bolts 26.

. ,7 From members 25 depend the main angle frame members 21, 28, and 29, attached to members 25 by bolts 30. It will be seen that each of the main angle frame members is mounted to present a fiat side inwardly toward the window, leaving the other side with the edge facing outwards. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the main angle frame members extend downwardly and at a small angle with the building, and terminate at a point so that the blind will cover approximately four-fifths of the window. Obviously the construction can be extended to cover the entire window if desired.

Near their lower ends, the frame members I 21, 28 and 29 are fastened together and to the building by the tubular front support 3|, which is of ordinary pipe construction, and hence cheap and easy toassemble in various widths. Midway of the frame members is located a tubular cross brace 32, of the same material as support 3|. A detail of support 3| is shown in Fig. wherein it is obvious that the two end caps 33 of support 3| are designed to be attached to the building wall at each side'of the window by suitable bolts or screws, as shown in Fig. 1.

Support 3| and brace 32 are connected to frame members 21, 28, and 29 by a number of clamping members, a detail of one of which is shown in Fig. 6, and which comprises a U-bolt 34, spacer 35, washers 36 and nuts 31. Spacer 35 is so designed that its faces fit .the round pipe 38 at one end and the flat side of the frame members at the other. Pipe 38 may, as aforesaid, either be part of the support 3i or the brace 32.

The structure thus far described provides ample framework and supporting means for a large sized blind, but it will be obvious, however, that the size of the particular window will determine the number required of members such as the frame members 21, 28, and 29, and brace 32.

The louver construction and adjusting mechanism will next be described for the embodiment of Figs. '1-6.

The louvers 40 are preferably formed of flat strips of aluminum and are of equal size except for louver 40a at the top which is slightly wider, as best shown in Fig. 3, in order to reach under the depending tip 42 of the hood 22 in all positions of adjustment. The outer edges 43 of all louvers are bent downwardly and their inner edges 44 bent upwardly at angles of 90 degrees.

- so that in closed position they interlock, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 3.

Likewise, it will be seen that the inner edge of louver 40a interlocks with the tip 42 of hood 22. By this means extremely good storm resistant joints are provided throughout the blind.

The louvers are supported in cantilever fashion and are connected to each of the main frame members 21, 28 and 29 by a plurality of pivoted hinge members 45. These hinge members may be cut from flat stock and provided with a bentover seat portion 46 for attachment to the underside of the louvers, as by riveting or bolting. As best seen in Fig. 3, the vertical portion of hinge members 45 is roughly triangular with the. longest arm beneath the louvers. Members 45 are drilled with holes providing pivot points and attached to the frame members (21 in Fig. 3) by rivet connections 41. By this arrangement the louvers 40 always tend to close, their weight being unbalanced in this direction, and this tendency is desirable for the purpose of eliminating flutter which wouldotherwise be caused by the wind if the louvers were equally balanced on the hinge members 45. Also, by this arrangement, tension is provided at the pivot points, and throughout the control and linkage mechanism yet to be described, which eliminates rattling.

The inward tips of hinge members 45 are drilled to receive rivet connections, and as seen in Figs. 2-3, the set of hinge members mounted on frame piece 21 are connected together at spaced intervals by a linkage bar 48 and rivets .49. The lower tip of linkage bar 48 is connected and connected to the linkage bar 48 at rivet 50.

Swivel 52 is provided with a semi-circular or planetary sector of internal gear teeth 54. A housing 56, partly shown in Fig. 4, may be provided for the swivel 52, on the inside of which is cut a semi-circular slot 55.

On the opposite side of frame member 21 from the swivel 52 is mounted a gear box 51 containing a worm wheel 58 mounted on a shaft 59. Shaft 59 passes through the wall of gear box 51, frame 21 and into housing 56 through slot 55, where it carries a reduction gear 66 meshing with the teeth 54 of swivel 52.

Worm wheel 58 is driven by worm gear 6! mounted on a shaft 62 which passes through frame 21 in the direction of the window casement 20. Shaft 62 is illustrated as entering the window through a mullion 65 (Fig. 2) and terminating in a crank 66. It is usually preferable to render the shaft 62 flexible by interposition of universal joints such as indicated at 63 and 64 in Fig. 2. By such joints a wide selection may be made for the entry point of the shaft through the window.

From the foregoing description it will-be seen acter described, for attachment to a building for the protection of a casement therein, comprising:

' at a selected angle from the building by means of a pair of vertically disposed braces attached to the building at opposite sides of the casement, and supporting arms at their inner ends slidably adjustably mounted on said side braces, and at their outer ends pivotally and detachably connected to said side frame members, said arms carrying innerconneoting means adjacent their outer ends for linking said arms together over said louvre structure when said structure has been swung fiat against said casement; a plurality of lateral spaced overlapping louvres pivotally mounted transversely of said depending frame members; a linkage control bar connecting said louvres; and louvre control mechanism carried by one of said frame members and connected to a selected one of said louvres for adjusting the pitch of all of said louvres.

2. An adjustable louver structure of the character described, for attachment to a building for the protection of a casement therein, comprising a supporting frame consisting of a plurality of spaced elongated depending frame members pivotally connected with the building over the casement, the side frame members whereof being supported at a desired angle with the building by a pair of arms carried on the building at either side of the casement, said arms being adjustably and detaohably connected to said side frame members; a plurality of spaced laterally disposed overlapping louvers pivotally mounted on said frame by pivoted hinge members having pivot connections on said frame and supporting said louvers on arms formed on said hinge members extend-v ing outwardly from said frame; said hinge members having other arms extending inwardly from said pivot connections and linked together by a linkage control bar; and louver control mechanism including a hinged swivel supporting one of said louvers on the frame in the same pivotal relationship common to the other louvers and carrying a gear, and other gear means supported on the frame adjacent said hinged swivel and connected to said gear for adjusting the angle of the louvers; and locking means provided in the pair of arms supporting the side frame members, whereby the structure may be swung against the easement and the said arms detached from said frame members and locked together over the structure.

3. An adjustable louvre structure of the character described, for attachment to a building for the protection of a casement therein, comprising a supporting frame consisting of a plurality of spaced depending frame members pivotally connected with the building above the easement, the side frame members being supported at the desired angle with the building by a pair of arms, said arms being attached to said side frame members by clamping means shaped to fit over and selectively grip a portion of each of said frame members, said arms also being vertically adjustable at their point of connection with the building, said connection being by means of a pair of vertically disposed guides each disposed on the building adjacent opposite sides of the easement,

said guides carryin adjustable clamps connected to said arms and operable from within said casement; a plurality of spaced laterally disposed overlapping louver pivotally mounted on said frame by pivoted hinge'members having common pivot connections on said frame and supporting said louvers on arms formed on said hinge members extending outwardly from said frame; said hinge members having other arms extending inwardly from said pivot connections andlinked together by a linkage control bar; and louver control mechanism includin a hinged swivelsupporting one of said louverson the frame in the same pivotal relationship common to the other louvers and carrying a gear, and other gear means supported on the frame adjacent said hinged swivel and connected to said-gear for adjusting the angle of the louvers.

4. An adjustable louvre structure of the character described, for attachment to a building will over the exterior of a casement therein, comprising a supporting frame consisting of a plurality of spaced parallel angle frame members depending from the building above said casement, one angle segment of said angle frame members being disposed at substantially degrees with respect to said casement, and lower supporting means connecting said angle frame members together and supporting same at a predetermined angle with the vertical with respect to said building wall and casement; a plurality of louvres pivotally supported transversely of said-angle frame members by hinge means uniformly pivotally mounted on the said 90 degree angle segment of said angle frame members; a linkage control bar pivotally connecting said hinge means; and louver control means comprising a pivoted swivel carrying an internal gear sector, said swivel being mounted on the side of one of said 90 degree angle segments remote from the angle formed by said angle member, a reduction gear shafted through said 90 degree angle segment and engaging said internal gear sector, a gear box carried in the angle formed by said angle member and enclosing a worm wheel connected to said reduction gear, and a worm gear driving said worm wheel, said worm gear being connected through the angle member by a drive shaft extending interiorly of said lower structure.

KENNETH W. PETTIGREW. CHARLES A. KILVERT, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 11, 1893 

